Re: Routing a battery box in a finished guitar ??
I am with kramersteen. Patience and attention to detail are your friends. I see people trash guitars, not because of lack of skill, but lack of patience.
The first thing is if you (evh_slash) have a router then you must be familiar with how it works and how wild they can be. Hope it is a smaller size, or has a speed control
After making a pattern to make a template, I would use a scalpel and the pattern to cut through the paint surface to the wood all the way around. This will help the paint to remain where it is supposed to be and not chip and crack. Depending on thickness I might even be tempted to make the cut marginally further out.
But do a test in the area that will be removed cutting a smaller hole with scalpel and test.
Because my router is a monster 1.5kW I use for body cutting, even with the new electronic speed control I built it is unwieldy. I have a laminate trimmer and a Dremel as well however
I would use the Dremel with a down cut bit and cut around the edges into the wood.
Then move over to a laminate trimmer with 1/4" cutter to complete the cut.
Someone I know just uses down cut bit and masking tape over the cut but does not use a scalpel blade or sharp Stanley.
Oh, and also put a low tack sheet of wax paper or similar down. Light spray of adhesive contact, lie this on old towel. This makes it stick but easy to remove after.
Ensure the foot of the router is clean, with no rough edges. I have seen old routers with damage leave marks. (You don't want router scrapes in the remaining paint)
ErikH mentioned drill too deep and you go through the front. That is a symptom of lack of care and preparation or just plain Russian. "Always rushin to do this then rushin . I belong to AAMIM and see people with no experience but who ask questions produce fantastic instruments, but others who rush even after many suggestions of go slow, produce rubbish
